9781405199964 (hardback)

1405199962 (hardback)

"This companion provides a comprehensive survey of the life, work and legacy of Benjamin Franklin - the oldest, most distinctive, and multifaceted of the founders... Includes contributions from across a range of academic disciplines. Combines traditional and cutting-edge scholarship, from accomplished and emerging experts in the field. Pays special attention to the American Revolution, the Enlightenment, journalism, colonial American society, and themes of race, class, and gender. Places Franklin in the context of recent work in political theory, American Studies, American literature, material culture studies, popular culture, and international relations"-- Provided by publisher.

"Benjamin Franklin was the oldest and most distinctive of America's founding fathers and he represents a political tradition that has been all but forgotten today - one that prizes pragmatism over moralism, religious tolerance over fundamentalist rigidity, and social mobility over privilege. Written by contributors from across a range of academic disciplines, A Companion to Benjamin Franklin brings together traditional and cutting-edge scholarship to explore the different ideas and approaches to a figure of singular importance in American political, cultural, intellectual, and literary history. Biographical chapters provide an introduction to the four main phases of Franklin's life and the ways in which they have been interpreted, while others examine his diverse range of interests and the related concerns of biographers and scholars who have produced important work about the man and his times. The final section places Franklin in the context of recent work that has situated him within political theory and international relations, literary and cultural studies, and popular culture"-- Provided by publisher.

Blackwell companions to American history

Franklin's Boston years, 1706-1723 / Nian-Sheng Huang

The Philadelphia years, 1723-1757 / George W. Boudreau

The making of a patriot, 1757-1775 / Sheila L. Skemp

Franklin Furioso, 1775-1790 / Jonathan R. Dull

Benjamin Franklin and colonial society / Konstantin Dierks

Benjamin Franklin and Pennsylvania politics / Alan Tully

Benjamin Franklin and religion / John Fea

Benjamin Franklin and the coming of the American Revolution / Benjamin L. Carp

Benjamin Franklin and Native Americans / Timothy J. Shannon

The complexion of my country: Benjamin Franklin and the problem of racial diversity / Nicholas Guyatt

Benjamin Franklin, capitalism, and slavery / David Waldstreicher

Benjamin Franklin and women / Susan E. Klepp

"The manners and situation of a rising people": reading Franklin's Autobiography / Ormond Seavey

Poor Richard's almanac / William Pencak

Benjamin Franklin and journalism / David Paul Nord

Benjamin Franklin, the science of flow, and the legacy of the enlightenment / Laura Rigal

Benjamin Franklin, associations, and civil society / Albrecht Koschnik

Empire and nation / Eliga H. Gould

Franklin's pictorial representations of British America / Lester C. Olson

American literature and American studies / Edward Cahill

Benjamin Franklin's material cultures / Megan E. Walsh

Benjamin Franklin and political theory / Jerry Weinberger

Benjamin Franklin and international relations / Leonard J. Sadosky

Benjamin Franklin in memory and popular culture / Andrew M. Schocket.

Statesmen > United States > Biography.

Scientists > United States > Biography.

Inventors > United States > Biography.

Printers > United States > Biography.

United States > Intellectual life > 18th century.

United States > History > Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.

United States > History > Revolution, 1775-1783.